FOOTBALL is back, with round one of the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) kicking off on Saturday afternoon.
Laurimar, in their first game back in division three following their heartbreaking relegation from division two last season, had a big test first up with widely regarded premiership favourites, Fitzroy Stars, arriving with a mission at Laurimar Reserve.
The early stages of the game saw a terrific battle between both teams, with Laurimar gaining plenty of territory thanks to their clearance game, but Fitzroy Stars were able to put their defensive structures in place from the outset, leading 13-7 at the first break.
However, the Power had their best quarter in the second term and started to take control of the game. As a result, they were able to turn around their deficit, kicking four goals to two, including a first goal to new recruit Patrick Fitzgerald, to move seven points clear at half time, 33-26.
When Fitzgerald kicked his second to open the second half, the Power opened up a game-high 13 point lead.
But the Stars started to flex their muscle and put together a big third quarter, kicking seven goals, with VFL player Patrick Farrant kicking three of what would eventually be seven goals during the term.
In essence, with scores level at the 20 minute mark of the term, it would be the remaining 10 minutes of the term which would decide the game in Fitzroy Stars’ favour, leading 69-51 at the final change.
The Stars had every answer to all the Power’s questions, going goal-for-goal for the remainder of the game to win 15.5 (95) to 11.5 (71).
The form of Fitzgerald was a positive, kicking four goals, while Kaiden Arthur was busy all around the ground. Stephen McCallum, Ethan Frawley, captain Luke Wilson, Jai Langford and Harley Marsh completed Laurimar’s list of best players.
In other division three results, Mernda were unable to stop Epping kicking the final six goals of the game to fall to a first-up 31-point loss, 6.10 (46) to 11.11 (77).
The game was still very much on the line in the final term, with Epping up by nine points, but four goals to one behind in the final term cemented their fate.
Christian Evans and Nick Gregson kicked two goals apiece, while Lachie Evans and Matthew Campbell were the Demons’ best.
Whittlesea got their division two campaign off to the perfect start, kicking seven goals in the opening term to take control from the outset against Old Paradians, before easing to a 47-point win, spoiling their opponents’ division two debut, 15.11 (101) to 8.6 (54).
Captain Xavier Dimasi led from the front in a best-on-ground performance, kicking two goals, while Jaron Murphy and Jack Taylor kicked three goals each. Braydon Avola, Jake McNamara, Taidhg Bland and Harley Fraumano were also named in the best.
South Morang’s division one debut, meantime, showed they had some adjustments to make, with West Preston-Lakeside taking care of the Lions with a 41-point win, 12.15 (87) to 7.4 (46).
With star recruit Noah Cumberland named, but unable to take the field, the Lions were unable to get a significant avenue to goal throughout the balance of the afternoon, and the Roosters were in cruise control.
Jesse John Christidis kicked two goals to lead the way for the Lions, while Davin Cameron, Christian Mardini, Kobe Van Zwienen, Bailey Brown and Deacon Kalpakis were named in the best.
Across the league this week, Laurimar will face another big test with impressive round one winners Epping in division three, while Mernda will have a big task in travelling to play Fitzroy Stars.
Whittlesea will look to make it two from two when they host Watsonia in their first home game of the season, while South Morang have a difficult trip to Montmorency.
South Morang’s women’s team were unable to get a good result hosting Fitzroy Stars, losing by 98 points, 0.1 (1) to 14.15 (99).
Devony Hoare, Mikayla Bennett, Ruby Failla, Ella Pinney, Abbey Quirk and Ella Philippou were named in the Lions’ best players.
There was better news for Whittlesea, however, with three goals to Leah O’Dell helping the Eagles take victory over Reservoir, 9.14 (68) to 2.0 (12).
Tahlia Brander, Kaila Vangeli, O’Dell, Eden Attard, Audrey Steinke and Giselle Rabaud-Salas were all named in the best as the Eagles led from start to finish.
On Friday night, in the NFNL netball competition, Whittlesea 3 and 4 took wins, defeating Montmorency 26-18 and West Preston 47-26 respectively.
South Morang had a mixed night on the court, taking two wins and four losses, while Laurimar had a significantly better night, recording four wins from their five teams.
